What skills are essential to be a trainee and how do you demonstrate these?

[achramore]

Does anyone have experience with a question like that?

The problem I am facing is that I am applying to a comparatively small transatlantic boutique law firm who don't even advertise their vacation schemes on their website. Also I am struggling to find any information on their firm's culture anywhere.

I guess I will just have to 'stick' to the generic skills?

I have focused on time management, team work, commercial awareness and communication.

 

[Naomi]

Being proactive, project management, problem-solving. And because it's a small firm, the teams will be much smaller to, so being able to take greater ownership of tasks.

 

[Maymoonah]

1. The main thing about these questions is to focus on the three skills that the firm that you are applying too values the most instead of stating generic skills that are applicable to any role. Read the firm's grad rec website for this or speak to fee earners at open days to learn what is valued the most.

2. Use specific examples to demonstrate this from your involvement in societies, clubs and work experience.

3. Don't forget to highlight why you think that skill is most important is comparison to others.